Publication
Title
Electrogenic sulfur oxidation by cable bacteria in two seasonally hypoxic coastal systems
Author
Abstract
Cable bacteria can reach high densities in coastal sediments, and as a result of their unusual electrogenic lifestyle and intense metabolic activity, exert a major and distinct impact on biogeochemical cycling, both locally in sediments and at the ecosystem level. This appears to be particularly true for seasonally hypoxic systems, but the driving force behind the proliferation of cable bacteria in these systems is not well understood. Moreover, the metabolism of cable bacteria induces strong acid production, which can be buffered through carbonate dissolution in sediments. A strong depletion of alkalinity in the pore water is therefore expected in carbonate-poor sediments. To evaluate the impact of cable bacteria metabolism on sediment geochemistry, we performed field sampling and laboratory sediment incubations in two seasonally hypoxic sites: one carbonate-poor site with low levels of free sulfide in pore water (Yarra Estuary, Australia) and one carbonate-rich site with high free sulfide (Lake Grevelingen, The Netherlands). Active cable bacteria populations were found in both field locations, with higher abundance and activity observed in spring compared to autumn. The sediment incubations tracked the metabolic activity of cable bacteria over time (maximum 84 days), and confirmed the fast development of an electric network (cell doubling time: similar to 19 h). These results suggest that cable bacteria are widespread in seasonally hypoxic systems, supporting previous findings. Cable bacteria acidified the sediment by > 1.5 pH units in 6-13 days (differing per site) and their activity accounted for >70% of the oxygen uptake. A clear subsurface accumulation of Fe2+ was observed after 8 days of Yarra sediment incubations, indicative of increased FeS dissolution as e-SOx developed. The increased availability of sulfide from FeS dissolution promotes a positive-feedback loop that we infer allowed for a faster development of cable bacteria in the carbonate-poor sediments. A depletion of total alkalinity was observed in the deeper Yarra sediment, whereas, a higher alkalinity efflux was previously observed in the carbonate-rich sediments from Lake Grevelingen. These results suggest a differential pH and alkalinity dynamic due to the interaction between the local carbonate content of the sediment and cable bacteria activity.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Estuarine, coastal and shelf science. - London
Publication
London : 2024
ISSN
0272-7714
DOI
10.1016/J.ECSS.2024.108615
Volume/pages
297 (2024) , p. 1-12
Article Reference
108615
ISI
001165105700001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
SEDBIOGEOCHEM 2.0: Hardwiring the ocean floor: the impact of microbial electrical circuitry on biogeochemical cycling in marine sediments
Biogeochemical cycling, redox transformations and microbial actors in electrified sediment ecosystems.
Unraveling electrical ecosystems: insight into microbial communities powered by electrical currents.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.03.2024
Last edited 08.05.2024
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